Jul. 17, 2017
HARRISBURG — Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) to enhance forest management and maximize the benefits of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) was signed into law on July 14 and will take effect in 60 days.
House Bill 1494 authorizes the Commonwealth to enter into a Good Neighbor Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow the state to help manage the forest through timber harvesting, promoting forest regeneration, and restoring or improving habitats.
“With the majority of the Allegheny National Forest located in the 65th Legislative district, I could not be more pleased with the enactment of this new law that is specifically designed to have our state play a greater role in the daily management of this extremely valuable asset,” said Rapp, who is a member of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the legislative Timber Caucus. “We all stand to benefit by working together to ensure that the thousands upon thousands of jobs that are directly dependent on the harvesting of forest products continue to grow and thrive right here at home.”
In addition to her standing committee assignments, Rapp also serves as the House legislative member on both the Legislative Forestry Task Force and the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council.
Good Neighbor Agreements were first used in Colorado and Utah and were authorized nationwide as part of the 2014 Farm Bill. Recognizing the potential benefits offered by such agreements, the members of the Commonwealth’s Green Ribbon Task Force on Forest Products, Conservation and Jobs listed the agreement among its top recommendations.
Allegheny National Forest is approximately 517,000 acres in size and includes land in Warren, Forest, Elk and McKean counties.
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Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
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